The 2024 Oscar-Nominated Shorts: Documentary

For the 19th consecutive year, ShortsTV and Magnolia Pictures present the Oscar-Nominated Short Films, opening on Feb. 16th. With all three categories offered – Animated, Live Action and Documentary – this is your annual chance to predict the winners (and have the edge in your Oscar pool)! A perennial hit with audiences around the country and the world, don’t miss this year’s selection of shorts. The Academy Awards take place Sunday, March 10th.

Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó – Nǎi Nai is my grandma. Wài Pó is also my grandma. Together, they are a grandma super team that dances, stretches, and farts their sorrows away. Sean Wang and Sam Davis, 17 min., USA (in Mandarin)

The Barber of Little Rock explores America’s widening racial wealth gap through the story of Arlo Washington, a local barber whose visionary approach to a just economy can be found in the mission of People Trust, the non profit community bank he founded. John Hoffman and Christine Turner, 35 min., USA (in English)

Island in Between – From Taiwan’s frontline amid rising tensions with China, filmmaker S. Leo Chiang weaves lyrical glimpses of local life with his own struggle negotiating ambivalent bonds to Taiwan, China, and the USA. Island in Between explores the uneasy peace in Taiwan, and contemplates its uncertain future. S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien, 20 min., Taiwan (in English/Mandarin)

The ABC’s of Book Banning – Over 2000 books have been removed from school districts in the U.S. The ABC’s of Book Banning follows the human toll the future will pay for depriving children of their right to read and learn about a complex world. Interviews with children and authors shed light on this ongoing dangerous precedent. Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic, 27 min., USA (in English)

The Last Repair Shop – Los Angeles is one of the last American cities to provide free and freely repaired musical instruments to its public schoolchildren. The Last Repair Shop showcases the warehouse where devoted craftspeople keep over 80,000 instruments in good repair. Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, 39 min., USA (in English)